ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) of the ministry of science and technology has approved a water quality monitoring project for the rural areas of Pakistan and installation of low cost water conditioning and filtration units, amounting to Rs38.71 million.

The project, aimed at establishing a permanent water quality monitoring network and documenting existing sewage disposal practices, will be undertaken by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources.

Water samples will be collected on an annual basis from 22 districts. Based on the outcome of the monitoring, remedial measures will be suggested and in the acute problem areas, 25 water conditioning and filtration units will be installed with the cooperation of local governments.